A.B. Freeman-Mitford, C.B. — The Bamboo Garden

London, Macmillan & Co. 1896. First edition. Cloth. The first edition of this intricate account of bamboo variants in Japan and China, with a frontispiece and illustrations throughout. The first edition of the work. In publisher's original decorative cream cloth binding. Includes a gilt top edge.With a frontispiece, 8 further plates, and illustrations throughout. Features 2 pages of publisher's advertisements to the rear of the volume. Collated, complete. This intricate first edition provides a detailed account of the cultivation of bamboos, with chapters ranging from propagation and soil to superstitions and species. The work conveys a wide knowledge of bamboos native to both Japan and China, assisted by the beautiful illustrations of Alfred Parsons. Written by A.B. Freeman-Mitford, a British diplomat who went to Japan as second secretary to the British Legation at the time of the Meiji Restoration, and subsequently wrote his most notable work "Tales of Old Japan". In publisher's original binding. Externally, very smart. Minor bumping to extremities, causing cloth to fold slightly at the tail of the spine. Odd mark to boards with spotting on endpapers. Includes an ink inscription to the front free endpaper. Owner's bookplate to front paste down. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright with spotting throughout, most significant to the front and rear. Very Good . Ill.: Alfred Parsons. Very Good .